Has anyone ever stayed at the Dumont Plaza Suites in NYC? Will be there in December and have reservations. Also any information about restaurants, parking, shopping, etc. in the same area would be appreciated.

I have not stayed there, but I live a few blocks away. If they don't have a garage, you'll have to locate one in the neighborhood; street parking is impossible. You will be a relatively short walk from the 34th St. shopping corridor (lots of chains like Gap, Banana Republic, Disney store; Macy's, the Manhattan Mall, with more chains) and you will be near to the start of the Fifth Avenue shopping district. There are a few nice women's clothing boutiques (definitely catering to the youg and slim) both north and south on 34th St. Your hotel is just a few blocks' walk from the Empire State Building. There are many restaurants about; within a block or two, I would recommend Lemongreass Grill for decent Thai, Patsy's for New York-style brick-oven pizza, Tre Pomodri for inexpensive pasta, Ali Bab, a sort of hole-in-the-wall pizzeria that also serves authentic and delicious Turkish food, Joshua Tree for a bar and pub food (all these are inexpensive), La Giara for moderate and modern Italian with a good wine list, and Bellew for upscale American with an Irish twist. Bellew is on 33d St. just west of 3d, and the rest are all on 34th or adjacent to it on 3d Ave., practically within sight of your hotel. There is a movie theater on the same block, and another larger one right nearby on 2d Ave. There are plenty of practical amenities--drugstores, grocery stores, post office, etc.--within a couple of blocks. (I understand the suites there all have kitchens.) There is a subway stop a few blocks away at Lexington and 33d St. I can also personally recommend La Petite Spa at the Dumont Plaza Perfumerie, shpuld you be in sudden need of a manicure, waxing, etc. (I am a regular customer there), though I don't know if they give discounts for guests of the hotel.

Please feel free to email me personally or ask here with specific questions about the neighborhood or anything else Manhattan.

Darlene, I also live around the corner from the Dumont Suites, (heard recently that the hotel was recently purchased, but not sure by whom). Catlin is right on with her suggestions, but here are a couple more.

If you like Sushi, one of the BEST sushi places in the city is very close to your hotel, Mishima, Lex and 30th.

There is a garage for parking also around the corner Lex and 33rd and it has a better price than alot of the parking lots in the area. When you get here just park and leave the car and walk or take public transit.

There is a "Labels for Less" right across the street from the hotel and in December there are usually good sales.

Also for sales, you have picked the perfect time to be here, all the stores will be running great sales just before and right after christmas.

Hope you have a great time while you are here and as CAtlin mentioned since we live right in the neighborhood, just let us know if you have any other questions.

tweedy

I've stayed there twice, both times with 5 other friends; we had two one-bedroom suites on the same floor. We are great "walkers" so the location wasn't an issue. The hotel, which when we were there was part of the Manhattan East Chain of Suite Hotels, is clean, well-staffed and affordable.

Forgot to add that they did have valet parking; we waited a little longer than we wanted to have the car brought around when we were leaving, but it was just fine, and they were apologetic for the wait...

Sounds like a hotel to mark for our next trip....Can you specify its location and approximate room cost? Thanks!

I can't speak to rates, but the Dumont Plaza is on 34th St. between #d and Lexington Avenues; the neighborhood is safe, convenient to midtown and to public transportations, and has plenty of practical amenities and quite a few pleasant and affordable, if not great, restaurants. I think you'll find The Dumont Plaza listed on most or all of the internet hotel rating and booking (including discount) sites.

This has more responses than your second posting...

up again for darlene

up for dave!